Blair ‘was ready to quit’ if he lost vote on war

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair has disclosed he instructed officials to prepare for his resignation if he lost a crucial Commons vote on war with Iraq.

In an interview with The Sun, he confirmed he had been ready to quit if he was defeated in last month's vote authorising military action by rebel Labour MPs.

"In the end, it is a decision you put the whole of the premiership on the line for," he said.